By admin 
CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a leading national nonprofit foundation dedicated to accelerating the development of new treatments for pediatric cancer, has officially announced the appointment of John Polson to its Board of Directors. Polson, who serves as the Chairman and Managing Partner of the international labor and employment law firm Fisher Phillips, brings more than three decades of high-level legal expertise and strategic leadership to the organization. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for CureSearch as it continues to outperform national averages in transitioning laboratory research into viable clinical trials for children facing aggressive and hard-to-treat cancers.
The addition of Polson to the board signifies a deepening of the relationship between CureSearch and Fisher Phillips, a partnership that has already yielded significant financial and emotional support for the pediatric cancer community. As the head of a global legal enterprise with 41 offices worldwide, Polson is expected to provide critical oversight and strategic guidance to help CureSearch scale its operations and enhance its influence within both the corporate and medical sectors.
A Legacy of Strategic Leadership and Legal Excellence
John Polson’s career is defined by a commitment to operational excellence and the strategic growth of one of the world’s most prominent labor and employment law firms. With over 30 years of experience, Polson has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of modern employment law, representing a diverse array of employers across various industries. Under his tenure as Chairman and Managing Partner, Fisher Phillips has seen substantial expansion, maintaining a reputation for excellence that has been consistently recognized by prestigious legal rankings, including The Best Lawyers in America and The Legal 500.
Polson’s role at Fisher Phillips involves overseeing the firm’s strategic direction, financial health, and the management of hundreds of attorneys across dozens of jurisdictions. This experience in large-scale organizational management is a vital asset for CureSearch, which operates in the highly complex and regulated environment of medical research and pharmaceutical development. The ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders is essential for a board member tasked with steering an organization through the intricacies of the "valley of death"—the precarious phase in drug development between initial laboratory discovery and the commencement of human clinical trials.
The Evolution of a Philanthropic Partnership
The appointment of John Polson is not merely a professional alignment but the culmination of years of dedicated service to the cause of childhood cancer research. Fisher Phillips, under Polson’s leadership, has established a robust philanthropic culture through its "FP Cares" initiative. This program serves as the charitable arm of the firm, encouraging employees to engage in community service and financial giving.
In recent years, FP Cares has focused heavily on supporting CureSearch. The firm successfully raised $200,000 for the organization, a contribution that directly funded preclinical research projects aimed at identifying novel therapies for pediatric patients. Beyond financial support, the firm’s employees participated in the "Notes of Hope" campaign, an initiative designed to provide emotional support to children undergoing intensive cancer treatments. Thousands of handwritten letters were sent to hospitals and treatment centers across the country, bridging the gap between the corporate world and the families battling the disease.
In recognition of these sustained efforts, CureSearch previously honored Fisher Phillips with the "Champion for Cures" award. This history of engagement ensures that Polson enters his role on the board with a deep understanding of the organization’s mission, its operational needs, and the personal stakes involved for the families it serves.
Addressing the Funding Gap in Pediatric Oncology
The entry of a seasoned business leader like Polson into the CureSearch leadership structure is particularly significant given the unique challenges of the pediatric oncology landscape. Historically, childhood cancer research has been underfunded compared to adult cancers. Because pediatric cancers are relatively rare, pharmaceutical companies often find less financial incentive to invest in the research and development of drugs specifically for children.
This funding gap has created a reliance on nonprofit organizations to bridge the divide. CureSearch has distinguished itself by focusing on a high-impact, results-oriented model. While the national average for cancer research projects successfully transitioning from the preclinical stage to clinical trials is a mere 8%, CureSearch-funded projects boast a success rate of 60%. This statistical anomaly is the result of a rigorous vetting process and a strategic focus on projects that have the highest potential for immediate clinical application.
Polson’s expertise in strategic planning will be instrumental in maintaining and expanding this success rate. As CureSearch looks to increase its portfolio of funded projects, the board must navigate complex intellectual property landscapes, regulatory hurdles, and multi-institutional collaborations—areas where Polson’s legal background provides a distinct advantage.
Official Responses and Organizational Vision
The leadership at CureSearch has expressed high expectations for Polson’s tenure. Kay Koehler, President and CEO of CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, emphasized that Polson’s appointment is a strategic move intended to bolster the organization’s capacity for social impact.
“We are thrilled to welcome John Polson to the CureSearch Board of Directors,” Koehler stated. “John’s proven leadership, deep commitment to social impact, and ability to build strong relationships will be invaluable as we continue our work to bring life-saving treatments to children with cancer. His experience and vision will help us take our mission to the next level.”
For his part, Polson has framed his appointment as both a professional responsibility and a personal mission. “I am honored to join CureSearch in their fight to end childhood cancer,” said Polson. “This is a cause that is very close to my heart, and I look forward to helping drive the organization’s critical work in advancing research and providing hope to children and families affected by cancer.”
Polson joins a board composed of a diverse array of experts, including pediatric oncologists, pharmaceutical executives, and business leaders. This multidisciplinary approach is central to the CureSearch philosophy, ensuring that scientific rigor is matched by business acumen and advocacy strength.
Chronology of Recent CureSearch Milestones
The appointment of John Polson is the latest in a series of strategic developments for CureSearch. Over the past decade, the organization has shifted its focus toward the "Acceleration Initiative," a program designed to bypass traditional research bottlenecks.
- 2018-2020: CureSearch intensifies its focus on high-risk, high-reward preclinical research, specifically targeting cancers with low survival rates, such as DIPG and certain types of leukemia.
- 2021: Fisher Phillips launches its most aggressive fundraising campaign for CureSearch through FP Cares, eventually raising $200,000.
- 2022: The "Notes of Hope" campaign reaches a milestone, with over 5,000 letters delivered to pediatric oncology wards across the United States.
- 2023: CureSearch reports that its success rate for moving projects to clinical trials has reached 60%, significantly outpacing federal and private benchmarks.
- 2024: John Polson is formally appointed to the Board of Directors to oversee the next phase of the organization’s strategic growth and international outreach.
Broader Implications for Pediatric Research and Corporate Social Responsibility
The integration of a top-tier legal executive into the governance of a medical research nonprofit highlights an evolving trend in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Modern corporations are increasingly moving beyond simple donations, opting instead for "skills-based volunteerism" where executives provide their specific professional expertise to help nonprofits solve complex operational problems.
For CureSearch, Polson’s presence on the board provides a layer of institutional stability and professional networking that can open doors to new corporate partnerships. For the broader field of pediatric oncology, this move signals a growing recognition that ending childhood cancer requires more than just laboratory science; it requires the same level of strategic rigor, legal precision, and operational efficiency found in the world’s most successful law firms and corporations.
As CureSearch continues to fast-track innovative treatments, the oversight provided by Polson and his fellow board members will be critical in ensuring that every dollar raised is used effectively. The ultimate goal remains the same: ensuring that every child diagnosed with cancer has access to the most advanced and effective treatments available, regardless of the rarity of their condition. With the appointment of John Polson, CureSearch reaffirms its commitment to a future where childhood cancer is no longer a life-threatening diagnosis.
